John "JT" Thompson

John “JT” Thompson, 78 of Gilbert, Arizona and formerly of Yankton, South Dakota passed away peacefully at home on December 21, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. John was born on September 14, 1947 in Yankton, South Dakota to Elmer and Helen (Krovoza) Thompson.

John grew up in Yankton and attended YHS, where he was involved in all kinds of activities: Basketball being honored as “Most Inspirational” in 1965, Football, Track & Field, Student Council, Y-Club, F.T.A., German Club and Arickara Royalty. John attended the University of South Dakota and later transferred to Yankton College. While at Yankton College, he met and fell in love with Terri Ann Carlin and they were married on April 26,1969 in Sioux City, Iowa.

John and Terri began their life together in Sioux City, IA where John worked as an Assistant Manager for Household Finance. They moved to Omaha, NE in 1974 and back to Sioux City in 1976 where he worked in Sales/Finance for Charlie Zook Motors. They later settled in Yankton where they raised their three children, Corey, Maeghen and Breanne. John continued his career in Sales/Finance and remained an active member of their community. He dedicated his time to the Yankton High School Chorus Booster Club, Yankton Riverboat Days Committee and Yankton Optimist Club awarded Optimist of the Year in 1988. One of his most cherished accomplishments was serving as a board member for Yankton Riverboat Days. He took great pride in the building of the Riverboat Days float and drove it to countless parades and festivals in South Dakota and Iowa with Breanne as his co-pilot. He was an instrumental part of the committee in growing Riverboat Days from a crowd of 12,000 to 140,000 in the late 80’s early 90’s.

John and Terri moved to Arizona in the late 90’s and Gilbert, Arizona became their home. John continued working in the car industry in finance until retirement. It was then he picked up his love of turning wood again and made his business and passion of John’s Got Wood creating beautiful works of art. He loved setting up at markets to share his art, especially Made with Love in Gilbert. John and Terri kept very active with their faith community of Praise and Worship Center in Chandler, AZ. They have been blessed to be surrounded by such a loving community. John loved his family and doted over his grandchildren - they lit up his world.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of the Valley who cared for John with such compassion, grace and dignity.

John is survived by his bride of 56 years, Terri and their children, Corey (Sherri) Thompson of Colorado Springs, CO, Maeghen (Rob) Weiler of Gilbert, AZ and Breanne (Tommy) Kliewer of Gilbert, AZ; Grandchildren: Payton (Billy) Loveall, Lucas, Brixton, Connor, Maizy and 2 Great-Grandchildren: Jaxon and Spencer; Brother, Roger (Peggy) Thompson of Yankton, SD and brother-in-law, Phil Carlin of Sioux City, IA. Including many loved nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Helen Thompson, sister Patricia Halverson, brother-in-law, Joe Halverson and niece, Alice Dixon.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Praise and Worship Center, 2551 N Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85225. Date soon to follow.